HAVING forged such a potent partnership with Sam Warburton in the Blues back row, the question is whether Josh Navidi might now get the chance to do the same for Wales.

HAVING forged such a potent partnership with Sam Warburton in the Blues back row, the question is whether Josh Navidi might now get the chance to do the same for Wales.

The dreadlocked flanker has been one of the form players in regional rugby this season and must be in with a shout of a place in the Six Nations squad when it’s announced on Tuesday.

With Dan Lydiate sidelined following ankle surgery and facing a race against time to be fit for the championship, the blindside berth is up for grabs for the opener against Ireland in three weeks’ time.

The versatile Aaron Shingler ended the autumn campaign at No.6, but he is also out of action at the moment due to a groin problem. Ospreys stalwart Ryan Jones remains a leading contender, with Scarlets duo Josh Turnbull and Rob McCusker other options, but Navidi has to be viewed as a serious candidate for at least a squad spot given his consistent performances this term.

Although he only turned 22 on New Year’s Eve, his growing stature and maturity has already been recognised with the Blues captaincy, a role he will fulfil once more against Toulon today in the continued absence of the injured Andries Pretorius, while he’s just been handed a contract extension which will keep him at the Arms Park until 2016.

“It’s another something to add to my game. I’ve been jumping more in the lineout than I have in recent years. It’s coming along nicely.”

Reflecting on his breakthrough this season, he said he had enjoyed his run of games.

“I’m starting each week, so I can’t fault it really and I’m just happy to get the contract.

“As far as Wales is concerned, we’ll have to see what happens with that and I’ll take it as it comes.

“I’m happy with my form at the Blues and feel my playing has been consistent, but I can always keep pushing myself to see how I can improve as a player.

“I don’t think about being called up for Wales. I just get on with what I do each week and see what happens from there.”

Today the challenge is a big one, in the shape of a trip to Toulon, who top both the French Championship and the Heineken Cup pool the two teams share.

But Navidi says the Blues will go into the Pool 6 clash in good spirits following last weekend’s 17-6 victory over Munster in Cork.

“It was a tough old game, but we got the tries and just built from that really,” he said.

“There’s been a real positive vibe here this week. It’s been a massive boost for us and great for morale.

“We need to keep getting the wins now and we are going to Toulon to win.

“It’s just a case of having the confidence and the belief we can take them on.

“It’s a hard place to go, but we just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing and move forward. They lost at home for the first time in 19 games last week, so hopefully we can add to that!”

The Blues show four changes from the win over Munster, with Leigh Halfpenny, Gavin Evans, Alex Cuthbert and James Down coming in.

Full-back Halfpenny makes his first start since being stretchered off in Wales’ final autumn Test against Australia, while winger Cuthbert and centre Evans have recovered from facial and back injuries respectively.

Up front, Down packs down at lock in place of Bradley Davies, who has remained at home with his partner Laura, who is expected to give birth to their first child over the weekend.

Wales and Lions prop Gethin Jenkins misses out on a reunion with his former Blues team-mates due to a calf injury, with fellow loosehead Andrew Sheridan also absent.

South African lock Bakkies Botha is another big name unavailable to Toulon after fracturing his cheekbone.

But the big-spending French club welcome back the fit-again Frederic Michalak, who partners Jonny Wilkinson at half-back.

The likes of Carl Hayman, Mathieu Basteraud and the Armitage brothers – Delon and Steffon – are also in the starting line-up, while the presence of Matt Giteau, Joe van Niekerk, Simon Shaw and Sebastien Bruno on the bench says much about their remarkable strength in depth.